Dress Like the Expert You Are: How Your Wardrobe Shapes Your Personal Brand - On and Off the Stage and Screen
I will never forget it.
The year was 2015, and I was the emcee for a 30-second pitch competition for startups. As usual, I dressed in what I thought looked good - an outfit that felt like me. I believed I was presenting my best self.
There were two judges. One, a Harvard alum, evaluated the startups based on business viability. The other? She judged how the entrepreneurs showed up - their attire, their presence, their unspoken messages.
It was fascinating to watch. She dissected everything - hairstyles, shoes, even sock choices. Each pitch turned into a mini-roast, revealing just how much our clothes speak before we do.
After the event, curiosity got the best of me. I walked up to her, spun around in a slow 360-degree turn, and asked, “So, what do you think about my outfit?”
She hesitated. “Are you sure you want me to tell you?”
I grinned. “Absolutely. Let me have it.”
And oh boy, did she let me have it.
She picked apart everything. My color choices, the fit, the overall message my clothing was sending. I don’t remember her exact words, I was too stunned, but I remember how I felt.
Before walking away, she handed me her card. “Don’t worry. If you want, I can help.”
That was my introduction to Kay Hunter, a strategic image consultant based in Orange County.
Your Clothes Are Talking - What Are They Saying?
I recently wrote about how your talk starts before you speak, and the same is true about what your clothes are saying. Most people don’t realize that their clothing is speaking for them before they ever open their mouths. Whether you are stepping onto a stage, into a boardroom, or logging into a virtual meeting, your outfit is already setting the tone.
It tells people if you are confident, creative, polished, and put together - or if you are uncertain, outdated, and unintentional about your personal brand.
The challenge is that most people, including myself at the time, don’t even think about it. They wear what they’ve always worn, what feels comfortable, or what they think looks good on them, without understanding whether their choices are actually serving them.
When I met with Kay after the pitch competition, I had no idea what to expect. I had never had anyone evaluate my wardrobe before, let alone tell me that 90 percent of it was wrong. But as soon as she started explaining things to me - how certain colors washed me out, how specific cuts of clothing made me look less authoritative, how patterns could either enhance or distract from my presence - it all started to make sense.
When she sat me down in front of a mirror and placed a variety of colors over me, I could see for myself how the colors totally changed the way that I looked. I don’t think I really believed her until I saw it with my own eyes.
I decided right then and there, I needed to invest in clothes and colors that let me shine my best Ginger self.
Virtual Meetings: Your On-Screen Presence Matters Too
This isn’t just about what you wear on stage or in person. Today, a huge percentage of our professional interactions happen on screen. And if you think what you wear in a Zoom meeting doesn’t matter, think again.
Your clothing, colors, and background affect how people perceive you on video just as much as they do in real life - sometimes even more. In a virtual setting, you lose body language cues, so what people see carries even greater weight.
Here’s what to consider for virtual meetings and presentations:
Colors Matter – Bright whites can wash you out, while busy patterns can be distracting. Solid, rich colors tend to work best.
Fit Still Counts – Just because people see only the top half of your body doesn’t mean you should ignore structure and fit. A well-fitted blazer or a structured top gives a more polished look.
Background and Lighting – Your clothing should contrast well with your background. If your wall is white, don’t wear white - it makes you blend in too much.
Avoid Distractions – Too much jewelry or flashy fabrics can be visually overwhelming. Keep it simple and polished.
Are You Wearing the Right Colors?
One of the most impactful lessons I learned from Kay was that certain colors enhance your natural features, while others wash you out or clash with your skin tone.
For example, I am a Ginger. I have light skin with freckles. My hair isn’t as red as it used to be, but my coloring still falls into the category where some shades work for me, and others don’t. I learned that earthy tones - like olive green, navy blue, and warm grays - complement my skin. Meanwhile, colors that are too close to my natural skin tone, like beige or pale yellow, make me look washed out.
But not everyone has my coloring. Here are some general guidelines for other skin tones:
Fair skin (cool undertones) – Jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep purples create a strong contrast. Avoid pastels and overly warm hues.
Medium skin (warm undertones) – Earth tones like mustard, burnt orange, and rich browns complement the warmth in your skin.
Dark skin (cool undertones) – Vibrant colors like electric blue, magenta, and crisp whites pop beautifully against darker skin.
Dark skin (warm undertones) – Deep reds, golds, and olive greens work well.
The key takeaway? If you don’t know your best colors, get a professional color analysis or experiment to see what makes you look your best.
Defining Your Style Archetype
Beyond color, your overall style should also reflect your personal brand. There are many different style archetypes - some are more traditional, while others are modern and specific to different professions.
Here are a few common ones:
Classic: Timeless and structured, featuring tailored blazers and neutral palettes.
Edgy: Bold and unconventional, with statement pieces and darker tones.
Artistic: Creative and expressive, incorporating unique patterns and textures.
Romantic: Soft and elegant, with flowing fabrics and delicate accessories.
Sporty: Casual and functional, emphasizing comfort and movement.
Most people resonate with a blend of two or three archetypes. For example, you might mix Classic and Edgy - wearing a sharp, well-fitted blazer but adding a bold pair of boots to stand out. Or maybe you combine Artistic and Sporty - choosing relaxed silhouettes with creative patterns.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. I encourage you to do your own research, explore different styles, and think about what aligns best with the professional image you want to project.
How to Get Started
If you’re unsure where to begin, here’s a simple roadmap:
Assess Your Current Wardrobe – Stand in front of your closet and ask, “Do these clothes represent the person I want to be?”
Discover Your Best Colors – Find out which colors enhance your natural features and avoid those that wash you out.
Define Your Personal Style – Identify your dominant style archetypes and find a combination that feels authentic to you.
Invest in Quality Basics – Well-fitted, solid-colored pieces create a strong foundation for your wardrobe.
Optimize for Virtual Meetings – Test how your clothing looks on camera, ensuring it complements your background and lighting.
Mix and Match Intentionally – Blend different style elements to craft a signature look that aligns with your brand.
Get Expert Help if Needed – A stylist or image consultant can provide valuable insights tailored to you. If you reach out to Kay, tell her “Ahoy” for me!
Final Thoughts
Clothing is more than fabric - it’s a tool for communication. Whether you’re a speaker, entrepreneur, or executive, your wardrobe should reinforce the reputation you want to build.
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight, but by making small, intentional changes, you can ensure that your style works for you rather than against you.
The next time you step onto a stage, into a meeting, or even just onto a Zoom call, take a moment to consider:
What is my outfit saying about me?
Whether you realize it or not, the people around you are already listening.
If you want to dive deeper into the small things that help you communicate at your best, consider booking time on my calendar - I’d love to help. Keep an eye out for my upcoming book, SpeakerShip: A Guide to Navigating the Seas of Speaking and Presenting, where I’ll share more insights to help you sharpen your presence, on and off the stage.
And if you’re ready to take your speaking skills to the next level, literally on the high seas, join me for one of my SpeakerShip workshops. They take place on an actual ship, where we’ll get your speaking skills shipshape.
You don’t know what you might be missing if you’re not communicating at your fullest potential. Let’s make sure that when you speak, everybody listens.
